After several days in the dark cave, where painful memories haunted him from time to time, Lian finally decided it was time to move on. The wounds left by the attacks on his village were beginning to heal, but the sorrow of losing its inhabitants had not yet faded. His mind was filled with many questions, but most pressing was his desire to uncover the truth.
"I have no choice but to move forward," Lian whispered to himself as he left the cave behind. The sky was overcast, making the atmosphere feel heavy, just like his heart.
Lian walked toward the city, the city he had heard so many conflicting stories about. The city that had served as a refuge for many villagers like his own. But Lian knew that the city was more than just a sanctuary; it might hold the answer to his village's fate and what had happened to it.
As he walked along the rugged road, he felt something unusual; there were others heading in the same direction. They seemed to be on their way to the city as well. Lian began to observe them closely, his eyes scanning the faces that appeared in the distance.
They were a group of five people, including an elderly woman, a middle-aged man, a young man in his twenties who seemed full of energy, along with two others who were more subdued. There appeared to be a diversity of personalities among them, which piqued Lian's curiosity.
Lian approached them slowly, trying to seem casual. He heard the smiling young man at the front of the group speak to him.
The young man (named "Zan"):
"You're heading to the city, right? If so, the road is long, and it would be better to travel together. What do you think?"
Lian smiled but hesitated at first. He wasn't sure if he should join them, but he had no other option.
Lian:
"Yes, I'm also heading to the city. I think it would be best to walk with you."
Zan smiled again and introduced himself and the others.
Zan:
"I'm Zan, and this is 'Jian' (a man in his forties with an air of sternness), 'Mi' (an elderly woman with a wise face), 'Chin' (a young man who seems to be from the city, with sharp intelligence), and 'Fai' (a man with little presence and a stern face). Don't worry, we know the way well and can help with anything you need."
Lian felt a slight sense of relief from this simple introduction. The reassuring expressions on their faces eased his anxiety, especially since Zan, the young man, seemed very kind, and his broad smile gave Lian a sense of comfort.
As they walked together on the rugged path, Lian began to ask some questions. He didn't know much about the outside world after the attack on his village.
Lian:
"I've heard a lot about what's happening in the kingdom. Are there disturbances? Are the farming sects fighting each other?"
Jian (the man in his forties) replied in a dry voice:
"The farming sects? That's the big game here. Everyone is vying for control of spiritual farming techniques, with each sect trying to gather as much spiritual energy from the earth and sky as they can. They're competing for the natural elements that grant them power and help them grow at an incredible pace. The situation in the kingdom isn't just political; it's a continuous war over spiritual resources."
But Zan, the always-smiling young man, seemed more open to talking with Lian.
Zan:
"Yes, the farming sects are in conflict over everything, from the land to spiritual resources, even the living beings they use for their spiritual farming. The demonic sect, in particular, exploits black farming, a dangerous method that allows them to enhance their spiritual power in wicked ways. Some say they aim to gain immortality through the energy of life, while other sects seek advanced techniques to reach the newborn soul."
Mi (the elderly woman, eyeing Lian cautiously):
"The farming sects aren't just competitors for the land; they're warriors in a battle for survival. Each sect seeks to exploit the elements of nature for their own benefit, and there are rumors of a hidden sect working in the shadows, called the Black Wind Sect. They're not far from this conflict."
As the group continued their journey, Lian felt his doubts and concerns growing within him. Everything he had heard so far placed him in a difficult position. He not only needed to uncover the reason behind the attack on his village, but he also had to learn how to navigate the warring powers in this world.
Chin (the sharp young man from the city) chuckled lightly and said:
"The farming sects aren't just fighting over the land. Each sect is trying to expand its spiritual power through sacred grains or forbidden spiritual techniques. Some consider these techniques a path to immortality, while others see them as a way to gain ultimate power. But you never know what happens in the shadows; there are always those watching us."
Zan (speaking to Lian):
"If what you're after is survival, you need to understand that the strongest way is to learn how to manage your spiritual power. Don't rely only on what you see at first glance. You'll find that, in this world, deception and trickery often hold more power than the truth."
These words, though simple, filled Lian with a sense of mystery and challenge. Was the city truly a safe place? Or would it mark the beginning of a journey filled with dangers?
When they reached the outskirts of the city, the towering spires began to appear on the horizon, with a large gate separating the inside from the outside. The city pulsed with life, but despite that, there was a tense atmosphere. Soldiers moved through the streets, and rumors of conflicts between the farming sects were circulating, especially with strange movements from the demonic sect.
Across the kingdom of Tiango, the winds carried the omen of an impending war. The conflicts between the farming sects could plunge the entire kingdom into a full-scale war. There were also rumors of strange creatures and dark forces emerging in remote areas. The kingdom was on the brink of collapse, with no one knowing who the true enemy was or who stood behind the chaos.
As they entered through the gate, Lian felt a sense of unease. "If the entire kingdom is filled with conflicts, how will I face all of this?" His questions multiplied with every step he took.
Before they ventured further, Jian (the stern man) said:
"Be careful. The city is full of hidden enemies. If you want to stay here, you need to be strong."
These words echoed in Lian's mind as he gazed at the city, which stood on the brink of a greater conflict than he had ever imagined.